Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Family pictures

 WARNING: These are NOT professional pictures. There, I said it. As if you couldn't figure that out. :) Really you just gotta see them all - they tell their own story of how to get 40+ people to take a 'decent' photo. I use that term lightly. This is my family. There are a few missing. Brother-in-law, his son (serving a mission), 2 more nephews coming later in the week, my Jeff and Ammon - he seemed to be asleep any time we were taking family pictures. Don't worry he's about 40 feet behind the camera takers safely asleep in the cabin.
And on Sunday we take pictures - this is the only day we don't spend in our swimsuits, hair done and make-up.
 Notice my sister in the front telling my brother and niece to give up the cameras and get in the photo.
 signs for the missionary and a few extras we consider family. Some of us have different ways of 'hiding' from the flocks of birds that would randomly fly over - someone was bound to be pooped on.

 Just grandkids - again no Ammon, a few extras and a few missing - it all balances out (33 total grandkids).

SIBLINGS: You'd think 7 adults could take a decent photo........
 Seriously!?

 What missionary doesn't want to see this picture in the mail from his aunts/uncles and mom - she's on the end. no, not me, the other end.
 Not bad, finally.

And the cause of all this craziness. :) My mom and dad.
gosh, I love my family!

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Sunday at the Lake

So this is 'The Lake', Twin Lakes, Rainbow Beach Resort of the Colville Indian Reservation, 'The place to be', whatever you call it, it's the best vacation spot EVER. See the cabin in the background? That's what all the cabins look like. I wish I had an up close view. My family has been coming here since before I was born or even a thought. 35+ years. My parents started coming with their 3 couple friends and families. We've since grown and it's been the place to come every year. Another group of families goes 2 weeks before us. Anything they leave behind, we pick up. :) It's just that awesome! 

We arrive on Saturday and leave the following Saturday. So what do a bunch of Mormons do on Sunday.....we have church. Church locations have MUCH improved since I was younger. We used drive around the lake, park, and hike to this 'familiar spot', carefully perch on the side of the hill, have sacrament, talks, hymns, the whole works. Now, we meet by the 'Grand Cabin' - also a recent addition over that last 5 years. It's actually a goal to see what improvements have been made to the cabins or what is still the same. Like the window in my parent's cabin has been cracked for at least 20 years, same hole in the screen, same tiny fridge in the corner, no running water, no bathroom - unless you have a 'Modern' cabin. We who rough it, use the bathroom building out back and the shower that cost 50 cents - inflation......and you might get scalding HOT water or freezing cold water with a drain that holds about 2 drops and starts to over flow. Sounds like heaven right?? Well it's pretty close.
My sister Caryn (since having 3 weddings this past year) had some tulle lying around. She decided to make skirts for all the little girls 12 and under. Super cute! Surprisingly Abbey LOVES it. I was surprised I could even get it on her. Her little cohort, Shay, convinced her it was fun. :)

Notes of love for my nephew Elder Hunt serving in New Jersey
Show us your best pose
one more.
 and........JUMP!

 So here it is: The official site of Twin Lakes Church, my sister Kristin is the unofficial number keeper and record keeper for all who have even been to the Lake with us (all families included). I think this week there was to be around 200 from those 4+ little families who started coming. I'll have to ask her for the official count over the years and this past year.
 It really is the best place to be. What better place to sing 'Come, Come ye Saints' than outdoors where long ago, the Saints were singing themselves as they walked across the plains to Zion. Not this exact spot, but you know what I mean. It's peaceful and quiet.

And since we don't ski, swim or do any other water activities.....we have Christmas. Yes, Christmas. and the M&M game.
 Since we live in various places of the USA, we have Cousins Christmas every year at the lake. We don't all attend ever year. Last year, Ammon was born 2 weeks after Twin Lakes, so we didn't go.
 
 

 Seriously the funniest thing ever. This is Taylee - the baby, and my brother Rustin. She is laughing her little baby rolls off, why? Well because Rustin is hilarious...no really, he was tossing the ball in the air and catching it. Not funny to anyone else but her - she laughed so hard she's crying. :)
 Abbey got Buzz Lightyear - so EXCITED!
 She gave to Dallin and was so excited, she opened the gift and handed it to him. :)
 The older grandkids/spouses, played the Left/Right game - it's serious game - see the concentration??
 Someone messed up.
 Rules for Cousin's Christmas - there is a dollar limit - not sure what it is, but we all get really cool stuff without spending a lot. And once you graduate from high school, you're out of the gift giving and receiving.

What else.....
 I think someone looks a little guilty.....Lucas......
 GOTCHA Uncle Ryan! It's his birthday, he deserves to be pelted with a bubble gun. :)
Awww, 40 - gosh he's OLD. Someone snitched in the scotcheroos, I don't think he'll notice though.

Friday, November 4, 2011

I pledge to be....

 In honor of Red Ribbon week, the kids were able to tie a ribbon for their pledge, and then on Halloween, they go to wear all the red they could and have SCARY hair - to scare away the drugs! Love it!

 His is already red - I thought he should get bonus points just for that. :) We put a 'red ribbon' in his hair.
 Lea's scary hair and the inspiration for Halloween - just added purple highlights.

Monday, October 31, 2011

Project 'Costume'

Tis the season for ghosts and goblins, vampire princess and super-heroes??
Tis also the season for lame costumes to become SUPER cool!! 
Exhibit A: party #1 - Aitkens
 
 Lea's - not half bad. First time we ventured into Halloween make-up.
 Ammon's recycled and - 'will you please FEED me!!!'
 What?
 I guess, I'll go with him, but seriously the hair??
Jeff's costume ROCKS! The 'angry golfer' - has a broken golf club too. It was promptly hidden when 'Superman' decided it need to be used a weapon.
 Do you 'Robot'?? And lastly: Abbey's....ahem.....'costume'. I did convince her she didn't need to wear the bright green t-shirt too. At least she's dressed - yeah it was that sort of night.

Exhibit B: Abbey's preschool class party - a MAJOR improvement for her.
 We got a 'costume' on her - even it was straight from the dress-up box. We did some crazy hair and added some purple highlights.
 What? Who doesn't love 'em some Fat Free milk container!?

 Exhibit C: Ward Halloween party
 We have arrived! No masks allowed, so I drew Lucas' on his face. To which he replied: "Mom, my body is a temple, we're not supposed to write on ourselves." yes.....yes it is. Thank you primary teachers! :) And my sweet little Abbey suddenly morphed into this vampire princess like Lea.
 Awesome shooting game the young men put together. I did want to know who volunteered to drink the DP cans they were shooting at - I would have gladly drank? drunk?.....guzzled regular DP so they didn't have to have 'diet' cans up there. :)
 sweetness!

 eat the donut.....if your dad doesn't try to tease you.
 there are just some people who don't like to follow the rules of the game. :)
 Make-up has all been rubbed off - it's not 3-year old proof.
 Vampire princess and the Smurfs - sounds like a Blockbuster to me!

And finally Exhibit D: Halloween Night - TOTALLY AWESOME, SUPER COOL!!!!
 I didn't paint Lucas' face this time - he wore his mask....for about 3 houses. Ammon even has a little red cape - 'Super' cute! :)
 The Scary House, right next to the other even WAY scarier house with the Haunted backyard - So fun!!

 And the Dominican Scorpion that had Abbey climbing the back of the couch. Always a blast - thanks for coming Sorensens!